Meeting Minutes for April 20, 2000
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
90 West Plato Blvd., 
St. Paul, MN

The meeting was convened by Glen Shirley at 9:45 a.m.

No Corrections made/Approved

Rob Slater/Mark Stennes/Carried

Attendance:
Jon Allen - City of Savage
Bruce Bacon - City of Ramsey
Jeff Borst - Tree Trust
Kirk Brown - Tree Trust
James Burks - City of Crystal - Robbinsdale
Sue Burks - DNR
Jeff Cordes - Eden Prarie
Donald Dehn - Top Notch Treecare
Dave DeVoto - Retired Urban Forester
Dave Hendrickson - MPBR
Ken Holman - DNR
Gregg Hove - City of Eagan
Manuel Jordan - Top Notch Treecare
Gary R Johnson - U of Minnesota
Janet Larson - Consulting Forester
Michae Max - EnvironMentor System
Sandy McCartney - Consulting Forester
Tommy Schibilla - City of Coon Rapids
Tom Schuster - City of New Hope
Marc Shippee - City of Blaine
Ken Simons Ramsey - County Parks & Rec
Robert Slater - MN/DOT
Kevin Smith - City of Hastings
Mike Sowers - City of Eagan
Mark Stennes - Top Notch Treecare
Kathy Widin - Plant Health Associates
Mark Zumwinkle - Energy & Sustainable Agriculture Program

Introduction of Visitors:
Mark Stennes introduced Manuel Jordan. Manuel had been at MnSTAC meetings in the past and went to work in Texas, and now has returned. He is an employee of Top Notch Tree Care.

Announcements & Calendar Items:
Ken Holman handed out the U&CF Update. He indicated there is a Dioecious Trees Workshop (supported by MnSTAC) on October 3^rd.

Ken also passed out a registration form, announcing the Rockies/Great Plains Community Forestry Conference. It will be held July 12^th - 14^th at Dickinson State University, Dickenson North Dakota. This conference is designed to address the issues that challenge small community forestry programs. Janette Monear from Tree Trust and Lisa Burban USDA-FS will be guest speakers.

On May 23^rd The MN DNR is featuring this workshop "Conserving Nature in Developing Communities". This workshop is designed to give you the tools to more effectively participate in the creation of a healthy, vibrant and sustainable community. It will be held at Concordia Language Village in Bemidji. Contact Janet Boe, DNR Bemidji 218-755-4421.

Featured Program:
Gary Johnson and Jeff Borst presented a program and lead a discussion on Stem Girdling Roots.

Gary’s slide presentation demonstrated the problems when stem girdling occurs and Jeff provided the research that was done on sites of the trees from stem girdling. A discussion followed and everyone was in agreement that education is the key factor in preventing stem girdling. Everyone agreed that a graphic guide illustrating the proper procedures of planting a tree from the time the trees are either containerized or ball and burlap, be distributed to the consumer. This guide could target the 300 growers and 600 dealers. It would be especially beneficial if the guide would be available at the time of purchasing the tree at the nurseries or garden centers.

2001 Budget:
The draft for the MnSTAC budget was reviewed. MnSTAC has a budget of $30,000.00 for the year 2001. Every committee request was cut or not allocated any money with the exception of our Outreach program. The Ex board divided the money with what they thought was worthwhile for STAC. Bruce Bacon questioned whether we should be of a non-profit status. Mike Max, James Burks and Bruce Bacon were chosen to get the facts and to come back in six months with advice on whether non-profit status would be good opportunity for MnSTAC. Kirk Brown made a motioned to approve the budget, seconded by Dave DeVoto, all in favor, motioned carried.

Committee & Agency Reports:
Education & Research - The Spring advocate will be mailed out soon.

Gary Johnson announced that Bekky Hargrave added a new addition to STAC’s website. It can be found under Committee Pages. These pages will be a way for committees to communicate with members(meeting dates, important announcements),as well as putting up any thing they want to get out to the general membership. There is one that is completed, "Awards" has the list of recipients, list of awards and application. I encourage Stac members to send me materials for the page. I would also like to include the Regional Stac chapter events on the Committee Pages. You can mail me your material at

Forest Health - No Report

Arbor Month - Hotel Habitat calendars are available, and the Tree Talk paper.

Publicity & Awards - No Report

Scholarships - No Report

Tree Emergency & Response - No Report

Constitution & Election - No Report

Planning - Meeting after Stac

Agency Reports:
Ken reported that the MNReleaf Forest Health applications are still being taken.

Rich Hauer reported on that there are now the most certified tree inspectors. 800 all total in the state. This is the largest number ever.

U of M - Gary Johnson reported on the Committee Pages web site.

MNDOT - No Report

Field Report - Bruce Bacon inquired about MnSTAC preparing a comment at the scoping phase of the Generic Environmental Impact Statement. A suggestion was to use a committee structure for the draft. The draft would have to be done by June and finalized by July. Glen will write a letter of direction to all committees, also to regional STAC.

Motion to adjourn by Mike Max seconded by Bob Slater at 11:55.

Meeting adjourned